Arthur Irving, one of Canada’s richest people, dies at 93
Amritsar, In an unprecedented development, the ‘Panj Piaras’ (five beloved ones) of Akal Takht have summoned the Jathedars of five takhts to appear at Akal Takht on October 23 to clarify their position over granting pardon (subsequently withdrawn) to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The Panj Piaras, who perform ‘Amrit Sanchar’ (the baptism ritual) and are authorised by the SGPC to lead the nagar kirtans on Gurpurbs, took the step at a meeting held at Akal Takht on Wednesday. The five included Giani Satnam Singh, a second ‘Piara’ by the same name, Giani Tirlok Singh, Giani Mangal Singh and Giani Major Singh.
On September 24, five Sikh high priests — Giani Gurbachan Singh (Akal Takht); Giani Mal Singh (Takht Kesgarh Sahib); Giani Gurbaksh Singh (Takht Damdama Sahib); Giani Iqbal Singh (Takht Patna Sahib); and Granthi Ram Singh (Takht Hazoor Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra) — had exonerated the chief of the Sirsa-based dera, of the charge of his alleged blasphemous act of wearing attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh in 2007. However, on October 16, following strong resentment among the Sikh community, they had withdrawn the ‘pardon’.
The Panj Piaras have now summoned the high priests to justify their decision to grant pardon to the Dera Sacha Sauda head.
